Mobile Apps

CRM

Sales & Retail

Data Analysis

People Management

Internet of Things (IoT)

Business Management

Bespoke software can be seen as something that is only created for large businesses. However, in an effort to stand out from the crowd, more and more small and medium sized businesses are reaping the benefits of having their own bespoke software built for them.

A tailored solution, specific to your business can result in a much greater return on investment than off-the-shelf packages can. Of course SaaS is likely to have its place in all businesses however for core software which directly supports and affects your organisation’s profitability, bespoke software is more often than not a better way to maximise your potential. The solutions created can have a range of positive effects on your organisation depending on the business need it addresses. It could be helping you work more efficiently, reach more customers or support your workforce.

Here at Welcm we’ve helped organisations large and small achieve their goals with bespoke software. Whilst there really are no limits to what you can do and achieve, most solutions can be placed into one or more of the following areas:

Mobile Apps

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps are hugely prevalent now. Most of us now have carried out work on our mobile devices whilst away from the office. Most of us have also experienced the frustration of not being able to access the systems we need to when we’re on the move. This can result in delayed communications, missed opportunities and wasted time; all of which cost a business money.

Mobile apps can be particularly useful for staff who work remotely, those who work in the field and those in other customer-facing roles in which data collection is important. Mobile apps can help these members of staff log work, create orders, complete tasks, produce reports and provide information to customers.

There are rarely any off-the-shelf apps that do all things for all organisations meaning the solution never properly fits the business need. This simply means the app is not providing the value it could and should do. By having a bespoke app built, an organisation can make sure the tool provided to staff exactly meets the business requirement and can be built around the working practices of that organisation and their staff.

Mobile apps can be particularly useful for staff who work remotely, those who work in the field and those in other customer-facing roles in which data collection is important. Mobile apps can help these members of staff log work, create orders, complete tasks, produce reports and provide information to customers.

There are rarely any off-the-shelf apps that do all things for all organisations meaning the solution never properly fits the business need. This simply means the app is not providing the value it could and should do. By having a bespoke app built, an organisation can make sure the tool provided to staff exactly meets the business requirement and can be built around the working practices of that organisation and their staff.

Customer Interaction

Customer Interaction

A CRM has become a standard piece of software used by the majority of businesses. The benefits of an off-the shelf SaaS CRM above a spreadsheet, the traditional tool for managing customers, are widely appreciated. However these off-the-shelf solutions tend to come at a considerable cost and are unlikely to fit a business’s needs as they wish.

There are likely to be a number of unused features causing what amounts to clutter in the software. This additional clutter makes it harder for staff to take to the system, uptake can be slow, staff training can take longer and the system may simply not be used as intended. On the other side of that is that certain features may not do exactly what is desired resulting in additional processes being required to achieve a goal or expensive changes to internal processes to fit with the off-the-shelf software.

With a bespoke CRM solution, businesses can make sure the functionality meets their exact requirements. Processes such as email marketing and posting to social media can be automated and tied into specific customers. Other customer communications, such as customer portal, can be brought in as part of the same system creating a much more holistic way of interacting with your customers. Processes are streamlined and so staff are able to work more efficiently, always having the correct information and tools at their fingertips.

There are likely to be a number of unused features causing what amounts to clutter in the software. This additional clutter makes it harder for staff to take to the system, uptake can be slow, staff training can take longer and the system may simply not be used as intended. On the other side of that is that certain features may not do exactly what is desired resulting in additional processes being required to achieve a goal or expensive changes to internal processes to fit with the off-the-shelf software.

With a bespoke CRM solution, businesses can make sure the functionality meets their exact requirements. Processes such as email marketing and posting to social media can be automated and tied into specific customers. Other customer communications, such as customer portal, can be brought in as part of the same system creating a much more holistic way of interacting with your customers. Processes are streamlined and so staff are able to work more efficiently, always having the correct information and tools at their fingertips.

Sales & Retail

Sales & Retail

Software that allows your business to optimise its sales processes can be one of the most financially beneficial pieces of bespoke software to invest in. This is a statement that applies to all manner of businesses, whether an online retailer selling exclusively from a website or a high-street based shop. This sort of software can manage the full sales process.

Payment systems can be integrated for quick and easy sales processing. Stock management can be handled automatically so items can be created / ordered as required without the need to manually keep track of and update stock levels. Shipping processes can be simplified and streamlined to cut unnecessary costs. Discount and coupon based systems can be added and these can be hooked up with advertising and marketing efforts. Time consuming admin tasks can be automated and mistakes via human error can be eliminated.

By incorporating a range of features like those described, your business can operate much more efficiently and therefore profitably. Retail systems are often particularly expensive when bought off the shelf due to the benefits that can be realised. However off-the-shelf retail systems never fit businesses perfectly and so don’t provide the benefits that they could provide. Very soon the ROI of such a system is surpassed by a bespoke equivalent.

Another problem with off-the-shelf solutions is that they tend not to scale very well. This means that as soon as a business starts reaping the benefits of a system, they have outgrown it and need to look again. Businesses with their own sales / retail software are able to grown it to line up perfectly with their requirements, however far they grow.

Payment systems can be integrated for quick and easy sales processing. Stock management can be handled automatically so items can be created / ordered as required without the need to manually keep track of and update stock levels. Shipping processes can be simplified and streamlined to cut unnecessary costs. Discount and coupon based systems can be added and these can be hooked up with advertising and marketing efforts. Time consuming admin tasks can be automated and mistakes via human error can be eliminated.

By incorporating a range of features like those described, your business can operate much more efficiently and therefore profitably. Retail systems are often particularly expensive when bought off the shelf due to the benefits that can be realised. However off-the-shelf retail systems never fit businesses perfectly and so don’t provide the benefits that they could provide. Very soon the ROI of such a system is surpassed by a bespoke equivalent.

Another problem with off-the-shelf solutions is that they tend not to scale very well. This means that as soon as a business starts reaping the benefits of a system, they have outgrown it and need to look again. Businesses with their own sales / retail software are able to grown it to line up perfectly with their requirements, however far they grow.

Data Analysis & Business Intelligence

Data Analysis & Business Intelligence

Businesses generate huge amounts of data on a daily basis however much of the data, and the useful information it contains, is lost and never leveraged. Being able to capture data, process it and deliver it in useful formats can be very beneficial for businesses. Data can be used for evaluating existing processes, creating new processes, identifying trends and budget forecasting amongst many other things.

Bespoke software can enable a business to capture and analyse data with ease. Custom reports can be generated to support decision making and help create a robust business strategy. This level of customisation is not achievable with off the shelf solutions and can give a business the edge over its competition in tough marketplaces.

Bespoke software can enable a business to capture and analyse data with ease. Custom reports can be generated to support decision making and help create a robust business strategy. This level of customisation is not achievable with off the shelf solutions and can give a business the edge over its competition in tough marketplaces.

People Management

People Management

Most businesses will have a variety of people on site - staff, contractors, visitors and delivery personnel. There are a number of systems that can be used to ensure maximum value and minimal costs are associated with all people who attend site, regardless of which category they fall into.

Human resources management systems allow organisations to maintain a complete database of all employees. Managing staff through a system like this can help cut time and costs associated with payroll; holiday entitlement and usage; time and attendance; training and qualifications whilst ensuring staff are utilised in the optimal manner. A system like this can be particularly useful for small and medium sized businesses with a fairly fluid workforce including a mix of permanent, contract and part-time staff.

Contractors will often require individual induction and training before being able to work on-site. Bespoke software can make this a much easier and quicker task to manage. An online induction system can make sure contractors have conducted required training and submitted necessary documents before they even attend site. This means no time is wasted whilst on site and permanent staff members are not taken away from their usual jobs in order to manage on-site training. A system like this also enables a business to keep accurate and up to date contractor records.

Visitors and delivery personnel are also an important area for organisations to consider. Visitor management systems provide a range of benefits to businesses by automating time consuming processes and providing a great first impression to visitors. They can also allow facilities management staff to accurately forecast asset usage. Integration with room booking systems can provide greater benefit still. Deliveries can also be managed efficiently and effectively which can be of particular useful in businesses with busy goods in / goods out departments.

Human resources management systems allow organisations to maintain a complete database of all employees. Managing staff through a system like this can help cut time and costs associated with payroll; holiday entitlement and usage; time and attendance; training and qualifications whilst ensuring staff are utilised in the optimal manner. A system like this can be particularly useful for small and medium sized businesses with a fairly fluid workforce including a mix of permanent, contract and part-time staff.

Contractors will often require individual induction and training before being able to work on-site. Bespoke software can make this a much easier and quicker task to manage. An online induction system can make sure contractors have conducted required training and submitted necessary documents before they even attend site. This means no time is wasted whilst on site and permanent staff members are not taken away from their usual jobs in order to manage on-site training. A system like this also enables a business to keep accurate and up to date contractor records.

Visitors and delivery personnel are also an important area for organisations to consider. Visitor management systems provide a range of benefits to businesses by automating time consuming processes and providing a great first impression to visitors. They can also allow facilities management staff to accurately forecast asset usage. Integration with room booking systems can provide greater benefit still. Deliveries can also be managed efficiently and effectively which can be of particular useful in businesses with busy goods in / goods out departments.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT)

This area of technology is the connection of physical devices over the internet. Connecting them in this manner allows the devices to be remotely monitored and controlled, often in an automated manner. The use of bespoke software to manage monitoring and automation can have a huge beneficial effect on costs and efficiency.

Real-time monitoring of asset usage can be tied in with energy-consumption to create a more energy efficient workplace. Fleets of vehicles can be monitored in real time allowing related processes to be automatically actioned. Manufacturing systems can be monitored to assist with plant safety. Really the options to leverage the Internet of Things with bespoke software is endless. Ultimately it can have a significant effect on profit as assets and resources are optimised.

Real-time monitoring of asset usage can be tied in with energy-consumption to create a more energy efficient workplace. Fleets of vehicles can be monitored in real time allowing related processes to be automatically actioned. Manufacturing systems can be monitored to assist with plant safety. Really the options to leverage the Internet of Things with bespoke software is endless. Ultimately it can have a significant effect on profit as assets and resources are optimised.

Business Management

Business Management

Business management software such as ERP systems allow an organisation to operate much more efficiently. They bring together all elements of a business into an integrated solution. Whilst previously ERP systems were focussed on larger organisations they are becoming increasingly used at small and medium sized businesses.

Their primary advantage is that bringing together the array of business processes that are part of the functioning of any organisation saves time and cuts costs. Decisions can be made more quickly with fewer mistakes. As an ERP centralises business data it removes the need to synchronise multiple systems, it facilitates standardisation and improves data security amongst other things.

An ERP system can make an organisation more agile and more adaptable to change whilst allowing it to be flexible and alter its structure to meet business needs. Collaboration across departments can also be significantly improved and staff no longer have to learn multiple in-house tools just to work with colleagues in different business areas.

Their primary advantage is that bringing together the array of business processes that are part of the functioning of any organisation saves time and cuts costs. Decisions can be made more quickly with fewer mistakes. As an ERP centralises business data it removes the need to synchronise multiple systems, it facilitates standardisation and improves data security amongst other things.

An ERP system can make an organisation more agile and more adaptable to change whilst allowing it to be flexible and alter its structure to meet business needs. Collaboration across departments can also be significantly improved and staff no longer have to learn multiple in-house tools just to work with colleagues in different business areas.